The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-15
THE LATEST BRIDGE-JUMPER.
Bill Nye Makes the Acquaintance OF
the Triple Somersault Youth.
From, the Neso York World.

the Triple Somersault Youth.
From the Ne,c York World.
One of the chief advantages of a residence
in New York is the wonderful opportunity
thus afforded in seeing the celebrated men
of our day. Professionally or otherwise,
most of them are sure to visit here, even
if they do not have a residence in New
York.
Emanuel Defrietas, THE Boy That Cone
the Triple Somersault Off the Brooklyn
Bridge" as he states in his advertisement,
has been visible the past week on the second
floor of Bowery museum, where the plain
people could feast their eyes on him at 10c
per feast
Mr.. Defrietas occupies common wooden
chair covered with cretonne, or raised dais
on the thumb-hand side of the room. Back
of him the wall is decorated with scene in
some foreign country, presume, as the
trees and water are different from anything
| have ever seen in America. In the left
foreground there is large water wheel that
looks as though it wouldlike to revolve if the
water could be limbered up little 1t is a
good water-wheel, with no visible means of
support, and the water has far-otf look.
On the right, in the foreground, is a repre-
sentation of boat moored to a hitching-
post, but do not think it would go away
even if it had not been tied. This boat rests
on bay with water in it. This water comes
out of the bay, turns a sharp corner and
climbs up the water-wheel, when it catches
a good view of the country. l wish that
more people who love art could go and see
this picture. No one who has closely studied
nature could fail to enjoy view of it. The
artist certainly has not plagiarized anybody,
especially nature.
Here, surrounded by total strangers from
10 a. m. till 10 p m, Mr.. Defrietas remains
visible TO the naked eye, now and then
speaking kind and encouraging word to
some unknown man, or greeting with a
smile those who desire his autograph.
Emanuel Defrietas was born in Halifax,
n. S., and, though he had nothing but a
common school education, succeeded in fall
ing from the bridge in such a way as to
strike on his head, thus preventing any pos
sibility of injury. The rise and fall of Mr.
Defrietas should convince us all that col
legiate education is not absolutely necessary
in order to succeed. 1t is more perhaps q
close study of the wants and needs of our
people with firm resolution to meet those
wants and needs that have made Mr.. Defrie-
tas thus prominent
But ne has not yet reached the height to
which he may yet attain. Innumerable pos
sibilities loom up ahead of him. He has al
ways been careful to avoid antogonizing any
political wing or faction in the country, and
brought about by his earnest desire to
please, he stands good show to be nomina-
ed in 1885, Always very shy about express
ing any opinion whatever, yet possessing
a faculty for impressing you with the idea
that he agrees with you heartily though he.
does not really say SO, there is absolutely
nothing whatever in the way of his nomina-
ton aside from his age and the fact that he
is not a native born American citizen
ThrOuph Mr. DefriataS does NOT have to
work any more, he does not feel himself
above those who toll He conversed freely
with the writer, whom he succeeded in plac-
ing at once at his ease.
He is below the medium height and is but
10 years Of age. His manner while on the
stage is rather engaging, and he does not
chew so much fiat tobacco as the Albino.
Mr.. Defrietas cannot remember when he
first felt desire to fall from great height
People tell him that when he was only a
year old he fell down stairs, striking ON his
head, which has always possessed great elias
ITCHY. He says that when he can land on
his head, no matter from what height he
may fall, he feels perfectly safe.
Emanuel holds reception every hour, but
write his autograph with his toes, the brain
flag, which is so often incident to museum
life, is spared him, and he comes forth at
night fresh and in good spirits
He says that many people consider his
sudden popularity ephemeral and extremely
transitory, and believe that it was more the
result of luck than of mature thought and
elaboration, but such is not the case. He
has fitted himself for the position he now oc-
cupies before the people, and that is the rea-
son he so soon obtained recognition and the
indorsment of the museum
He will continue on exhibition for one
more week, when it is to be hoped that he
will write book. A small, red autobio-
graphy, prepared by Mr.. Defrietas, it is
thought, would be greedily snapped up by
the American people and give new impetus
to thenow tagging somersault industry,
BILL NYE.